Tyson can see traits of himself in Joshua
MIKE TYSON has likened Anthony Joshua’s epic victory over Wladimir Klitschko to the way his sensational knock-outs once galvanised the hard old game and the heavyweight division.
Iron Mike expects Britain’s AJ to reign as the heir to his violent kingdom for a decade.
And the scale of Joshua’s sudden importance to boxing and its marquee division was spelled out by Tyson in no uncertain terms yesterday.
‘When a new heavyweight champion wins the world title as explosively as that, it changes the whole game,’ he said.
‘That was a great fight. I had actually picked Klitschko to win as I thought this was just some jumpedup young guy from England.
‘But, man, he fought well. Klitschko is 41 and no one has done that to him before.’
Tyson identified much of his old scary self in Joshua when he analysed Saturday night’s unforgettable occasion and its thunderous 11th-round climax at Wembley in front of a 90,000 crowd and a huge worldwide televised audience.
‘Importantly, Joshua showed heart,’ said the 50-year-old. ‘He went down from a big punch by Klitschko but he didn’t give up, he got back up. That was real intestinal fortitude. He’s consistent, persistent and he didn’t give up. There’s no quit in him.
‘I also love that he goes out to hurt his opponent. That’s what boxing is all about, but most fighters don’t have that hunger,’ added the Baddest Man on the Planet.
Joshua’s mutual respect with the legendary Klitschko has shaped his image into that of a gentle British giant.
But the 27-year-old, who now holds the WBA, IBO and IBF titles, has also hinted at the possibility of delivering the trash talk if and when he meets Tyson Fury, probably next year after a likely rematch with Klitschko.
Iron Mike duly agreed, saying: ‘The more all the other heavyweights want to fight him, (the more) he may have to change. ‘He’s a nice guy but he’s got to stop being a nice guy soon. It’s hard to stay that way, believe me. ‘People are going to irritate him and he’s going to end up saying things he didn’t know he was capable of saying on television. That’s what happens.’ But the rewards, pointed out by the man who terrorised the heavyweight division, will be worth it. Tyson (below), speaking to ESPN at the opening of his Boxing Academy franchise in Dubai, made an apparent reference to Floyd Mayweather’s huge earnings when he said: ‘All the little guys who have been making a lot of money won’t be making so much any more. ‘The heavyweight that knows how to fight, like Joshua, that’s what makes boxing big. ‘The other guys can make some money, but they are not making the sport big. ‘This one fight has changed boxing. It’s going to be all about Joshua and the heavyweights now. The sky’s the limit. ‘He’s going to dominate the division and make so much money if he just keeps doing what he did at Wembley. Joshua is still a baby but now he’s the biggest name in boxing — and people only pay big money to see the best.’
Joshua, like Tyson did before him, has won his first 19 professional fights by knock-out.
Tyson won his 20th on points and took nine fights longer than Joshua to win his world title, thereby becoming the youngest champion in heavyweight history at 20 years, four months and 22 days old when he beat Trevor Berbick in 1986.
Following a troublesome childhood, Joshua’s journey to stardom has drawn comparisons to Tyson, and the Brooklyn-born former champion admitted to seeing similarities in their two upbringings.
‘Sure I see the comparisons,’ continued Tyson. ‘If you are of Afro-English background you’re likely to have a tough time. If you’re born in the wrong part of town it’s always going to be rough. You’re going to be financially challenged, scholastically challenged. It was like that for me and it’s like that now.
‘Boxing gives kids like me and Joshua an outlet. You can take a guy with nothing, clean him up and the next thing he’s meeting the President of the USA or the Prime Minister of the UK. It’s a great leveller.’
He might have added that he can also become richer than Croesus. But unlike Iron Mike, AJ is not so likely to squander his wealth.